Camden Man Sentenced for 2015 Homicide – November 18, 2017

On Friday, November 17, 2017, Samuel Lopez, 20, of Camden, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of 34-year-old Jose Franco, also of Camden. The sentence was imposed that afternoon by the Honorable John Kelley, J.S.C. Lopez is required to serve approximately 38 years and 4 months of the sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Lopez was found guilty of first degree Felony Murder, first degree Armed Robbery, second degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose and second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, on October 5, 2017, after a jury trial. At the trial, Assistant Prosecutor Mike Mink presented evidence that Lopez shot Jose Franco during an armed robbery in the area of 28th Street and Pierce Avenue in Camden around 11:30 pm, September 27, 2015. The victim succumbed to his injuries and died at Cooper University Hospital.

Samuel Lopez was taken into custody in Florida by the U.S. Marshals on December 10, 2015 after he fled the scene.